I can't make this stuff up

Every now and then, I get asked to cover some ... offbeat stuff, to put it kindly. I figured I'd share two pictures I've taken recently, since they're a little bizarre.

A few weeks ago, I was asked to take a picture of a family's pet camel and write a story. I went out and met Sebastian, a 25-year-old camel living on a llama farm. Fortunately, he never spat at me or tried to chase me down like the African bulls I took pictures of back in April.

Just yesterday, I took a picture of a 200-foot by 100-foot American flag mowed into a hayfield by a local artist. She put a ladder in the bed of her truck for me to climb up so I could capture the whole thing. It was a little scary because the ladder was wobbly, but the pictures turned out pretty cool.

Lauren's wedding

Lauren's wedding came and went on June 28 at the Dallas Arboretum. It was hotter than Hades out there, but I have to say it was a very beautiful setting. Lauren and Tyler have been together for five years now, so you could tell they were really happy, it was very sweet. I also gave my toast, despite being super-nervous. I don't know why, I guess I don't really do public speaking much, especially when it's something personal.

I stole some of my friend Melissa's pictures from that day for the post, including a picture of us just so she gets some credit. I'm not really big on posting pictures of myself or getting my picture taken, but just this once I'll share one.

2009, you look so fine

In the spirit of keeping people updated with this blog, here's a some significant events in my life this year so far, just to bring everyone up to speed.

• Went to the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix in January to watch Texas beat Ohio State. I also got to see Adrianne and Kenneth (my aunt and uncle, for those who don't know), which was such a blessing :)
• I was promoted to full-time staff writer at my paper, the Pilot Point Post-Signal. I took over some advertising and clerical tasks as well as my regular sports pages and occasional feature stories.
• Mom and I threw my best friend Lauren a Barbie-themed bridal shower at the house (I'm about to host her bachelorette party next week). This has been our first time around as maid of honor/mother of maid of honor.

Hmmm, sadly that's all I can seem to think of right now. The full-time promotion was the big one, really. I'm still living at home with my parents, who I know just love having my hang around, eating their food and consuming electricity :P At least now, I have realistic goals about moving out and moving closer to work. Pilot Point is 50 miles northwest of Murphy, but hey, it's a job!

Also, these are things that aren't happening to me, per se, but to people in my inner circle.

• Lauren's wedding to her college sweetheart is Sunday, June 28.
• My college roommate, Rachel, was accepted in to graduate school at Texas State in San Marcos, starting this fall, to become a theater teacher. Her screenplay was also optioned earlier this year by an independent producer.
• Matt, my boyfriend, received his master's in aerospace engineering from UT and accepted a job as a research engineer at MIT in Boston - so far away, but I'm so proud and happy for him :) He also got into the New York City marathon on November 1!!

Alright, now everyone should be up to speed :)

See, what happened was...

So, I've started a blog!

I figured a blog might be an easier way to keep in touch with people. I've noticed that lately I'm really bad at staying in touch with people that I don't see regularly, and it gets harder and harder to find the energy to write each and every one of them lengthy emails, which is a tad unusual, being a writer an all. Plus, I enjoy reading other people's blogs, too. I love Deidre's blog, which used to be powered by blogger, but now by Word Press @ www.theoaklandberkeleyjournal.com. Also, this summer I'm reading my boyfriend's blog while he's on vacation, www.gaijinda09.blogspot.com ("gaijinda" is Japanese for "I'm a tourist," he says). Again, I'm really just jumping on the bandwagon and giving blogs another try.

So, there ya go - enjoy!